The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derek Bennett, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities:

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to recognize October 19-25 as Waste Reduction Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Multi-Material Stewardship Board will be celebrating Waste Reduction Week through a digital public awareness campaign aligned with theme days, as well as online composting workshops for the public. Government House will also be lit in blue and green tomorrow, October 21, in recognition of Waste Reduction Week.

Mr. Speaker, we all play a part as environmental stewards in protecting our environment, and encouraging each other to start new habits as we consider potential alternatives to advance waste reduction. With the retail plastic bag ban now in effect in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are actively decreasing the amount of plastic waste and litter created, thereby protecting the environment and improving the waste management system.

My department and the MMSB are also actively working through the recommendations made in the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy report released earlier this year. The report recommends major changes and we are analyzing the contents to make thoughtful and prudent decisions.

The Provincial Government and the MMSB encourage individuals, businesses and schools throughout the province to celebrate Waste Reduction Week in Canada. The MMSB’s Rethink Waste NL website contains valuable tips and resources that highlight waste reduction activities and information that the public can use to reduce waste in our province. I encourage all residents to reflect on lifelong positive changes they can make during Waste Reduction Week.

Thank you.